MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin (Anthem) will provide its members access to a personal emergency response system (PERS) in many of Anthem’s 2018 Medicare Advantage plans, at no additional charge. The PERS can give members, their families, and their loved ones peace of mind should they fall or need emergency assistance when they’re home alone.
The Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) began October 15, 2017, and continues through December 7, 2017 and gives Wisconsinites eligible for Medicare the opportunity to enroll in Anthem’s 2018 Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.
“Giving our members access to a personal emergency response system is part of our continued commitment to helping our members live the life they’ve earned,” said David McNichols, president of Anthem’s Medicare central region. “The system will give our members the ability to maintain their independence and delay, or possibly eliminate, the need to utilize assisted living services.”
With the PERS, when an individual contacts the service by pushing a button located on a neck pendant or wrist band, representatives from the service will try to contact the member to identify the kind of assistance needed. Depending on the results of that outreach, the PERS representative may contact a designated caregiver, a clinician, or local emergency services.
Anthem’s MA benefits will cover the cost of the PERS, which includes the unit and monthly monitoring and testing. It will also pay the cost of a cellular device that plugs into an outlet and provides coverage in and around the home. Members can opt for a mobile unit that they can take into the community. This mobile PERS unit communicates with the emergency response system through cellular service in the area. The benefit does not cover the cost of a phone line if a member chooses to use a land line to connect the unit to the PERS monitoring center.
“Benefits such as the personal emergency response system are one of several reasons why many Anthem’s Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans received four-star ratings or higher from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this year,” added McNichols. “We strive to offer our members what they need, when they need it.”
The PERS benefit is available with the following two Anthem insurance plans. These plans are available for 2018 enrollment in the listed counties:
- Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO): Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Milwaukee, Oconto, Outagamie, Portage, Taylor, Waukesha, and Winnebago counties.
- Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP): Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Milwaukee, Oconto, Outagamie, Portage, Taylor, Waukesha, and Winnebago counties.
In addition to Medicare Advantage plans, Anthem offers standalone prescription drug plans (known as Part D plans) in all Wisconsin counties for people who enroll in Original Medicare, a government-sponsored program. Both the MA Prescription Drug (MAPD) and Part D drug plans utilize a preferred pharmacy network to help members save costs. This preferred cost-sharing pharmacy network will continue to be offered in 2018. MAPD will also add more hypertension medications for a $0 copay to the existing list of $0 copay medications that treat hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and osteoporosis - some of Medicare’s most common conditions and utilized prescription drugs.
Anthem also offers Medicare Supplement plans to Original Medicare enrollees all across the state. These plans help cover costs Original Medicare does not cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles at any doctor or medical facility that accepts Medicare. These Supplement plans are generally paired with a prescription drug plan.
For details about Anthem’s Medicare plans in your area, call (855) 866-4242 or visit Anthem’s Medicare online store at https://shop.anthem.com/medicare.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an HMO DSNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Wisconsin Medicaid program. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an LPPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. We do not discriminate, exclude people, or treat them differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in our health programs and activities. LUS CEEV: Yog tias koj hais lus Hmoob, cov kev pab txog lus, muaj kev pab dawb rau koj. Hu rau 1-888-230-7338 (TTY: 711). ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-888-230-7338 (TTY: 711). This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Premium, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details. Other providers are available in our network. The provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin (BCBSWI), Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation (Compcare), and Wisconsin Collaborative Insurance Company (WCIC). BCBSDWI underwrites or administers the PPO and indemnity policies and underwrites the out of network benefits in POS policies offered by Compcare or WCIC; Compcare underwrites or administers HMO or POS policies; WCIC underwrites or administers Well Priority HMO or POS policies. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AnthemBCBS_News and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AskAnthem.